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December 07, 2005

November

November was another fun-filled month at GKA. We had two great themes: a regional study of Germany, and the traditional American holiday of Thanksgiving. In the first week, we studied basic facts of Germany. Many of us made a booklet about Germany, including the flag, a map, famous food, and general facts. Some of us were also able to visit D-Haus in Hiroo to experience life in present day Germany (see below). The following weeks were also filled with fun activities such as

poem reciting, watching videos and reading books on one of our favorite characters, Arthur. As for the Thanksgiving theme, the children made Turkeys to decorate on the wall, and wrote words related to Thanksgiving. They also wrote what they were thankful for. We studied the history of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, through discussions and plays. The children were very interested in the Mayflower, the ship which had brought the Pilgrims to America. The older children had a chance to research about the Pilgrimage on the internet. Some children had the opportunity to bake a pumpkin pie. They studied the ingredients and the procedure. Many of them wrote very creative poems about Thanksgiving, and some created their own crossword puzzles. Some were able to go outside and pick leaves to make rubbings. Throughout this month, we focused on vowels and the phonics of CH. November was another month filled with new surprises and fun activities, and opportunities to experience the different cultures.
11月もとても充実した月となりました。最初に取り上げたテーマは「ドイツ」でした。ドイツの国旗、ドイツの地理、有名な食べ物などが記されたドイツについての本を作りました。とても熱心にとりかかる子供たちの姿が見受けられました。最後にドイツを体感できるD-Hausへ遠足に行きました。次に取り上げたのは、アメリカの伝統的な行事、サンクスギビング、感謝祭でした。代表的な食べ物として知られている七面鳥、ターキーを作って飾り、子供たちが日頃感謝している人や物を書きました。劇やディスカッションを通じてサンクスギビングの由来を勉強したり、インターネットでメイフラワー号について調べたりしました。 かぼちゃのパイを作ることもできました。材料から作り方まで勉強し、実際に作り、味わうことができました。時には公園で落ち葉を拾い、上から紙をかぶせ、クレヨンで上からこすって葉っぱの形を写したり、想像力豊な詩を書いたり、家族にカードを作ったり、とても楽しいアクティビティーで大盛り上がりでした。今月は子音を勉強し、フォニックスでは特に “Ch” の音を主に勉強しました。他国の文化を楽しく勉強し、それを実際に体感できた月になったと思います。

Posted by mika at December 7, 2005 02:08 PM

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